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ketoprofen (Diractin / ketoprofen, IDEA / Diractin)

✓ Approved

IDEA AG · PTGS1 · Small Molecule

What is ketoprofen?

ketoprofen is a small molecule developed by IDEA AG. It is approved for therapeutic indications via topical or transdermal.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesDiractin, ketoprofen, IDEA, Diractin
CompanyIDEA AG
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetPTGS1, PTGS2
RouteTopical, Transdermal
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, IDEA AG

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ketoprofen acts on 2 molecular targets:

PTGS1prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (COX3, PCOX1)
PTGS2prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (GRIPGHS, hCox-2)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

ketoprofen is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disordersMusculoskeletal pain✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedThe journal of pain2026-08-17

Behavioral Depression Induced by Dental Pain in Mice and its Resistance to Analgesics.

Filippini Helena F HF, Taylor Kaia K, Stevens Negus S S

Acute dental pain contributes to ~10% of opioid analgesic prescriptions in the U.S., highlighting a critical need for safer, non-opioid alternatives. This study supports the NIH HEAL initiative by developing a preclinical model to investigate behavioral depression as one class of behavioral signs that are both caused by dental pain and useful for analgesic discovery. Specifically, we assessed depression of locomotor and oral activity and stimulation of postural hunching and facial grimace as pain-related behaviors produced by a set of dental-pain manipulations. We then evaluated effectiveness of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen and opioid agonist morphine to alleviate these behavioral effects. Male and female ICR mice received one of four dental-pain manipulations: (1) Control - anesthesia only, (2) Open -pulp exposure, (3) Closed-Sal - pulp exposure with saline-soaked point and sealing, (4) Closed-CFA - pulp exposure with complete Freund's adjuvant-soaked point and sealing. Locomotor activity along with posture and grimace scores were assessed 6h after surgery. Retrieval and consumption of sunflower seeds were assessed after 24h to assess oral activity required to crush the hull and extract the kernel. Relative to control treatment, dental-pain manipulations produced significant, graded depression of locomotion and seed retrieval/consumption (Open

PMID 42607824
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PubMedBMJ evidence-based medicine2026-08-14

Ginger for the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Atkins Tiffany T, Manger Sam S, Albarqouni Loai L

To determine the efficacy of ginger (either stand-alone or as an adjunct treatment) for the treatment and management of migraine headaches. We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Epistemonikos and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to 26 March 2025 which was updated on 16 April 2026 and conducted a backwards and forwards citation search of included studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of ginger (either stand-alone or as an adjunct) to placebo or usual active control (such as Depakine (valproic acid), amitriptyline or sumatriptan). Two authors independently screened articles, extracted data, assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 Tool (ROB-2) tool. Primary outcomes included headache severity or pain scores post-treatment, proportion of patients pain free or with pain relief post-treatment, frequency and duration of migraine attacks and migraine-associated symptoms. Random-effects meta-analyses were done and the certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Eight RCTs involving 594 patients were included. For acute treatments, ginger with ketoprofen compared with placebo with ketoprofen may have little to no difference on headache severity at 2 hours post (mean difference (MD) 1.27 lower, 95% CI 1.46 lower to 1.08 lower; 1 study, 60 participants; low certainty evidence). It was very uncertain if ginger combined with feverfew versus placebo or ginger alone compared with sumatriptan improved proportions of those with pain relief, pain free or the mean headache severity at 2 hours post. For preventative treatment, ginger in addition to an active drug compared with the same active drug with or without placebo, may result in an important reduction in headache pain severity at 3 months (pooled MD -3.18, 95% CI -3.94 to -2.42; 2 studies, 183 participants; low certainty evidence). However, it was very uncertain if ginger combined with herbs compared with active drugs of both Depakine and amitriptyline lowered headache frequency, duration or headache severity at 3 months. The overall certainty of evidence for all outcome measures ranged from low to very low. The volume of the existing evidence is limited and combined with either a low or very low certainty of evidence, it is currently too uncertain if ginger is effective either as an acute or preventative treatment. Therefore, additional acute and preventative trials are required to help raise the certainty of evidence. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251025768.

PMID 42601183
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PubMedPolymers2026-08-13

Gelatin-Based Microspheres for Sustained Ketoprofen Delivery in Difficult-to-Heal Wounds.

Kodra Chiara C, Nito Alessia A, Quarta Emma E, Miciaccia Morena M et al.

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent inflammation and impaired tissue repair. Anti-inflammatory agents play a pivotal role in wound management by reducing excessive inflammation, preventing further tissue damage, and creating a microenvironment conducive to healing. Among them, Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is effective in modulating inflammation. However, its systemic administration is associated with adverse effects, highlighting the need for localized and controlled delivery systems. Gelatin-based carriers provide important advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, cost-effectiveness, and the ease of chemical modification to tailor drug release profiles. In this pioneering study, gelatin-based microspheres crosslinked with tannic acid were developed to achieve sustained topical release of Ketoprofen. The microparticle system was produced through the single water-in-oil emulsification process and optimized by varying homogenization speed, crosslinking time, and molar ratio. Morphological, physicochemical, functional, and biological characterizations were conducted. The optimized formulation yielded spherical microspheres (5-35 µm) with high crosslinking efficiency and a controlled drug release profile over time. COX inhibition assays provided preliminary evidence that released Ketoprofen-retained inhibitory activity under the assay conditions, while cytocompatibility tests supported the short-term compatibility of the system within the tested concentration range. A qualitative wound-model test provided preliminary evidence of powder hydration, film formation, and macroscopic retention. Overall, tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin microspheres represent a biocompatible and promising platform for localized drug delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory in wound management.

PMID 42589737
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PubMedMedicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina2026-08-13

Comparative effects of topically applied diclofenac, ketoprofen, and piroxicam on interleukin-17, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and prostaglandin E2 levels in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis.

Maleskic Kapo Sanita S, Burnazovic Ristic Lejla L, Dervisevic Emina E, Čamdžić Nina N et al.

To evaluate and compare the effects of topically applied diclofenac, ketoprofen, and piroxicam on key inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-17 (IL-17), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Thirty male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: three experimental groups receiving topical diclofenac, ketoprofen, or piroxicam, respectively, a positive control group receiving a placebo patch, and a negative control group without collagen injection. CIA was induced using bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant, with arthritis severity assessed through macroscopic scoring. NSAID patches were applied to the right hind paw for 6 hours daily over 5 days. Immunological parameters were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and mixed-effects models to evaluate drug effects over time. A significant difference was observed in tissue PGE₂ levels (F(4,25) = 4.235; p=0.009; η² = 0.404), with diclofenac showing significantly lower values compared to the negative control and ketoprofen groups, while no significant differences were found for IL-17 or STAT3. Topical NSAIDs demonstrated selective anti-inflammatory effects, primarily through significant suppression of tissue PGE₂, confirming effective local COX pathway inhibition. The absence of significant changes in IL-17 and STAT3 suggests that short-term topical therapy mainly targets prostaglandin-mediated inflammation rather than upstream cytokine or transcriptional pathways involved in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis, warranting further investigation into their long-term therapeutic benefits.

PMID 42592992
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PubMedCancers2026-08-13

Chronic Post-Surgical Pain at 3 Months After Breast Cancer Surgery: Incidence, Predictors, and an Internally Validated Risk Model.

Ghannam Abdelilah A, Majbar Mohammed Anass MA, Motiaa Youssef Y, Abahssain Halima H et al.

Background/Objectives: Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) affects 25-60% of women after breast cancer surgery. Prospective data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain scarce. This study estimated 3-month CPSP incidence in a Moroccan cohort, developed two internally validated prediction models, and quantified the mediated effects of regional anaesthesia and ketamine through prevention of severe acute postoperative pain. Methods: Prospective cohort of 862 women undergoing curative breast cancer surgery (Institut National d'Oncologie, Rabat; NCT04676438). CPSP was defined as a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥ 3/10 AND Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference ≥ 3/10 at three months. Two logistic regression models were developed (Model A: 7 preoperative variables; Model B: 11 perioperative variables) and internally validated by 1000-bootstrap optimism correction. Counterfactual mediation analysis quantified effects mediated through severe acute pain. Results: CPSP incidence was 39.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35.9-42.4%), with 22.6% neuropathic-predominant. Model A showed limited discrimination (area under the curve (AUC) 0.58), with pain catastrophising as the dominant predictor. Model B demonstrated superior performance (AUC 0.694; Brier score 0.209) with net clinical benefit across the 15-55% range of clinically plausible decision thresholds. In counterfactual mediation analysis, an estimated 58.2% and 53.7% of the RA and ketamine effects, respectively, were mediated through severe acute pain, under the framework's no-unmeasured-confounding assumption. Perioperative ketoprofen independently reduced chronification risk (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.66). Conclusions: In this single-centre Moroccan cohort, 39% of women developed CPSP at three months. Two validated models enable risk stratification at distinct clinical decision points. Regional anaesthesia and ketamine were associated with lower CPSP risk, in a pattern consistent with mediation through prevention of severe acute pain under the model's assumptions; ketoprofen was independently associated with lower chronification risk. These observational findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation before informing changes to analgesic protocols.

PMID 42588650
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PubMedHospital pharmacy2026-08-12

When the Law Changes Therapy: Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of the Regulatory Impact on Intravenous Analgesic Consumption in 2 Italian Orthopaedic Hospitals (2021-2024).

Crivelli Barbara B, Galassi Luca L, Faitelli Beatrice B, Oriani Giorgio G et al.

Tramadol is a centrally acting weak opioid widely used for moderate postoperative pain in orthopaedic surgery, so its regulatory status is directly relevant to hospital pharmacists. In November 2022 the Italian Ministry of Health reclassified tramadol as a controlled substance under Section A of Presidential Decree 309/1990. Its effect on surgical-hospital prescribing has not been systematically described. We quantified the change in consumption and expenditure of intravenous (IV) tramadol and of the IV non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used as alternatives in 2 Italian orthopaedic IRCCS hospitals. Retrospective 2-centre drug-utilisation study (Hospital A: 9100 procedures/year; Hospital B: 13 500/year) covering January 2021 to December 2024. Monthly dispensing and cost of IV tramadol, ketorolac, ketoprofen lysine and ibuprofen were extracted from the pharmaceutical management system. Use was expressed as Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) per 100 procedures. Pre- and post-policy periods were compared with a single-group interrupted time-series analysis using segmented linear regression with calendar-month indicators and Newey-West standard errors. Mean annual IV tramadol dispensing fell from 953 to 259 units at Hospital A (-72.8%) and from 2011 to 617 at Hospital B (-69.3%). Segmented regression showed immediate level changes for IV tramadol of β2 = -1.45 at Hospital A (P < .001) and -2.60 at Hospital B (P < .001); expressed relative to the model-predicted pre-policy level at the intervention, these correspond to immediate reductions of approximately 57% and 63%. For IV ketorolac, level changes were +2.41 (P = .012) and +12.68 (P < .001). Aggregate IV-analgesic expenditure per 100 procedures rose from €18.96 to €25.99 at Hospital A (+37%) and from €47.20 to €412.73 at Hospital B (+774%); this between-centre difference was driven by Hospital B's high-cost ready-to-use IV ibuprofen bag, which accounted for about 93% of total post-policy expenditure and 99% of the increase at that centre. The reclassification coincided with a marked reduction in IV tramadol use and a parallel rise in IV NSAID use. The rise in pharmacy expenditure was driven less by the regulatory shift than by the local formulary choice that accompanied it.

PMID 42582363
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